Walkers support friends with cancer

Mike Jaquays

Wednesday

May 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMMay 30, 2012 at 1:24 AM

The Sherrill-based Gorman Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society's local Relay for Life fundraiser held annually at the Oneida High School track. This year's event is set for June 2.

The Sherrill-based Gorman Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society's local Relay for Life fundraiser held annually at the Oneida High School track.

When the event returns on June 2, however, Gorman Foundation president Amanda Larson said the overnight walking marathon will be even more emotional - just seven months ago she learned her dad H. Stuart Larson, of Sauquoit, had stage 3 multiple myeloma.

Larson soon became his caregiver, setting up a kitchenette in his bedroom and coordinating his medical needs and appointments. She drives him to all of his appointments and runs his errands while he receives treatments.

“I witness everyday how much cancer sucks,” she said. “The one silver lining I do see in all of this is that the experience has made me so much closer to my dad.”

Larson will walk the track with her friends from the Mary Rose Center Free Clinic for the Uninsured in honor of her father at the Oneida Relay for Life, which starts at 2 p.m. on June 2 and continues until closing ceremonies the next morning at 7 a.m.

Oneida Relay chairperson Kari Shanahan said, as of press time, they had 40 teams signed up, including some brand-new teams and folks who have never taken part in the relay, and expected even more by the afternoon of the event. Shanahan said the theme for this year is “Carnival of Hope,” and the relay will feature a variety of family activities and live musical entertainment.

She explained it’s the camaraderie between the participants that she looks forward to most every year.

“My favorite part of Relay is probably watching all of the team participants and community members come together and regardless of the weather or what's going on in everyone's lives we all celebrate and mourn at the same time,” Shanahan said. “It's a feeling you don't get from any other event and is very emotional. The luminary ceremony and silent lap is always the highlight of the event for me and gives me times to reflect on the past and relive memories of those loved ones I have lost as well as think of the survivors in my life. It's really just an incredible event!”

For more information on the Relay for Life of Madison County, log on to www.relayforlife.org/madisoncountyny

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